Horror Short Film "Pruning" | ALTER | Starring Madeline Brewer
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- Опубліковано 24 бер 2024
- Subscribe to ALTER on UA-cam: goo.gl/LnXRC3
When a political commentator discovers she has inspired a mass shooting, she must contend with her conscience--by any means necessary.
"Pruning" by Lola Blanc
Starring Madeline Brewer (The Handmaids Tale, Cam, Braid)
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm
Connect with the Filmmakers:
UA-cam: / lolablancmusic
Instagram: / oohlalola
TikTok: / oohlalola
Official website: www.lolablanc.com
Trust Me podcast: www.trustmepod.com
Lola's music on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3n1yZ...
"Pruning" Credits:
Directed by: Lola Blanc
Written by: Lola Blanc and Jeremy Radin
Produced by: Nick Paskhover, Chris Beyrooty
With Rustic Films (David Lawson, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson)
Executive producers: Madeline Brewer, Deric A. Hughes, Elia Petridis
Associate producers: Rob Kolson, Brian Huff, George Bradshaw
Starring:
Madeline Brewer
Peyton Kennedy
Jeremy Radin
Featuring:
Akilah Hughes
Ben Gleib
Betsy Zajko
Jack Bedrosian
Avital Ash
Cinematography: Sonja Tsypin
1st AC: Duy Nguyen
1st AC: Torin Bradshaw
2nd AC: Rayner Hallera
2nd AC: Tanner Charnstrom
Steadicam operator: Jaron Tauch
Camera operator: Adam Leene
Gaffer: Thomas Sigurdsson
Gaffer: Tate McCurdy
BBE: Kevin T. Garrard
BBE: Carlos Mauricio Ortez
BBE: Logan Wade
Set lighting technician: Auston Mahan
Key grip: Brendan Riel
Key grip: Shawn Anderson
Best boy grip: Alex Laudeman
Best boy grip: Jaan Kristjan Utno
Grip: Collin Gallivan
Grip: Glenn McDougald
Grip: Sean Carr
Balloon light technician: @arendterik
Production design: Helen Morales
Art director: Nicholas Kerr
Lead person: Jonathan Rodriguez
Set dressers:
Conrad Sundqvist Olmos
Morris Brown
Alex Santo Spirito
Sophie Cohen
Versace Conradt
Drew Wall
Costume designer: Hayley McCune
Costume assist: Tess Tingloff
Key hair: Phil Nathaniel
Wig & hair stylist: Mary Czech
Wig maker: Amanda Miller Wig Studio
Makeup & SFX: Cat Calico
Makeup: Crystal Lozada
Creature designer: Greg Aronowitz
1st AD: Ryan Taylor
2nd AD: Tom Richmond
Production sound: George Wymenga
Production sound: Jake E. Robinson
PA: Alessandro Pulisci
Edited by: Mitchell & Start (Brian Mitchell, Ian Start)
Sound design & mixing: Joe Stockton
Original music: AJ Nilles
Colorist: Connor J. Bailey
VFX artist: Ryan Harrison
Camera package provided by: Panavision
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Video Title
/ watchalter - Фільми й анімація
Hi, I'm Lola, the director and co-writer of PRUNING! Thanks so much for watching our film. I'll be around to answer any questions y'all might have!
Hi Lola! All of us in the Whatsapp support you and your film is awesome
When is going to be part 2
I’m inspired!! Thank you for sharing 🖤 from one filmmaker to another !! Here are your flowers 💐
i like it
I’ve been anticipating this for months. You’ve taken a frequently obfuscated reality and articulated it into the visage of an unavoidable blade. And seeing that blade is stark. Brilliant writing and the most compelling acting I’ve seen in a while. Thank you!
I kind of wish this were a Black Mirror episode so it could be longer! But this was well done
I've only seen this actress in "cam" but holy fuck she can go from a cute smile to completely unnerving in 2 seconds. Great actor
She also plays Janine in The Handmaid’s Tale. She’s very good. 🙂
She also plays in Orange is the new Black
She will be also in "You" season 5 😉
when she twisted that things neck i was shook 😮
Real!!!
The way the bass dropped when she said "BUT..." that was deep!
sure thing dude
I love the use of white, and her constant need of trying to keep everything nice n perfect…symbolizing that she had nothing to regret, and that her words and her message were pure. The scene in the bathroom was genius! When she purged out the fetus like image of herself, it was about a rebirth, that she still had time to change her ideals and create a new message to feed the media. When she snapped its neck, she has made a decision, that pruning was and is the only answer. She feeds off her notoriety, using her words as merely stepping stones to her throne.
Thank you.
This was incredibly interesting.
Eu pensei que era um pequeno alien que havia dado a luz💕👽
I think the birth/rebirth imagery is definitely there, too. I was personally taken by how paradoxically alien and humanoid it looked- nothing like a fetus, a baby, or a child, but a really ugly tiny human. Like a homunculus, in the batshit 17th c. sense. I think the climax could be construed as a deliciously graphic literal expurgation of her humanity, her capacity for empathy, sense of moral accountability, etc.
Was that her conscience she threw up?
@rockgsxr, you're truly a comedian. please bless us with more of your superior uniqueness and humor
Yes, I believe so.
Her guilt I guess
@@rockgsxr 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yep.
The main actress in this is absolutely amazing. Especially the subtle shifts in the last bathroom scene. Just... brilliant.
What I took from this is that once you say something, whether it be to a single person in conversation, or more so to a group of people who are listening to you for your platform, it takes on a life of its own and furthermore cannot be taken back. You can then not in all good conscience detach yourself from any blame because you are the root cause- you gave birth to whatever came next. Granted, we cannot control the actions of others but we can decide what we ourselves decide to say and do. We plant the seed. You can hardly then blame people who listened and absolve yourself if it grows into something ugly. I fucking love this, one of my new favourite Alters!!! 🖤🖤🖤
The presence of Ben Gleib makes it even scarier.
I guess she was full of herself
Not anymore😂
LOL
"Are you ever allowed to stray from that message? Can you ever take a beat and acknowledge that you're wrong? Cos I don't think you're as free as you think."
I think this is incredibly poignant. So many people are trapped by their own limiting ideas, too afraid to consider other views or doubling down on their beliefs because their ego is wounded by the criticism their beliefs receive. This can apply to left-wing people too- although I am very left wing myself, I think it's important to remember than anyone can be susceptible to dogma. And dogma traps us, limiting our growth and cutting us off from our empathy. Brilliant film!
How are you doing in this regard? I’ll give you an exam. Can men have babies?
@@franken-pattern huh? What makes you think I’m angry? It’s a simple question. Can you answer it?
@@Farfromperfection I love this!!!
Liberals AND conservatives are brainless zombies 😂 You let whatever's on screen tell you what and how to think. You're all clones of each other that just look different.
@@Farfromperfection Actually yes, though there are varying factors such as fertility, prior medical conditions, age, etc. Even if transgender men take hormone therapy, there is still a slim chance of getting pregnant, which can of course only be fully reduced to zero through bottom surgery.
Hell yeah alter to save the day on a rainy stormy day!!! Shout-out from Texas
so lola isn't only an amazingly musician but an incredible director too??? I LOVE THIS!!! thank u ALTER but showing us this amazing short!!!
Hang on.....Lola like.....'Hit and Run' artist Lola?!?!?!?!
I can't believe she pruned her conscience!
I was ready for her to come to terms since she was queasy each time she had to come to terms with what she has instigated!
that "But" at the end was just perfect
I dug it. Great use of symmetry in what would otherwise be mundane interiors of the house. Do the best with what you've got as they say. And the idea was good too. Simple and coherent. It feels to me like a ripple effect of that scene in the Batman when he realizes hes actually been inspiring some criminals into radicalizing but here we see the protagonist eventually lean in to that notion instead of changing her ways.
If anyone has the time to explain a quick summery of what happened, i would greatly appreciate it. I was completely lost the whole time, i don't understand social media.
I don't quite get it myself... Anyone out there???
@@joannemadden7449Like a full summary of everything? Sami Geller is a politically controversial online personality. She talks about personal freedom but feels boxed in by her own audience. She tries to keep careful control of her life from her immaculate home to her polished expressions and responses, but something in the wild woods she jogs through unsettles her. After an inflammatory speech on pruning threats in society inspires a shooter, (who previously wrote to her) her friend and the internet turn on her, but while she feels guilty and horrified to the point of nausea, she deflects responsibility and asks her friend to think for herself. The controversy around her being in the shooter’s manifesto propels her into greater fame and a promising career path, so despite her changed feelings on pruning threats, she can’t express them unless she wants to throw away her new opportunities. When she finally sees the figure in the woods, it manifests as a shooting victim. He says she was right about pruning, and she turns his shears on herself, so I can assume at this point her guilt is at its peak and she recognises herself as a societal rot. But she evidently changes her mind and goes through with presenting a guiltless side on TV. Just before she airs, her birthing a fetus through her mouth- the result of several days of nausea- appears to be her last chance, but Sami snaps it’s neck and goes on air, repeating the same defensive ideas the host feeds her.
My thoughts are that the fetus was supposed to her saving grace. Birth and life after days of stewing in the guilt of death all around her. Sami chose to get rid of it and go on the show instead of going home with it, cementing her path.
I think that was her guilty conscience?
I think i understand it's not conservative bad, it's that turning your belief into a religion and being so egotistical you cannot question your beliefs and understand anything else. I believe that radical on either side is bad truly
So maybe we'll occasionally see this universal truth shown from the opposite political angle?
Absolutely. Almost certainly not a sentiment the filmmaker shares, though.
You believe that radical on either side is bad? Ok so please illustrate for me what radical right looks like and then radical left. (We all know what radical right looks like) “…turning your belief into a religion” just wild how much you’re running into the point and still missing it.
@@jthomasaurus Hang on. Are you trying to imply there’s no such thing as radical left? You’re kidding, right? This can’t be a thing an actual human believes.
@@Mr_Flerb let me know how you came to that conclusion, that’s wild. I never said that, I asked for examples of both and stated we all already know what radical right looks like. I know there’s radical left, I simply asked for them to tell me an example of radical left activism vs radical right activism. And if you’re getting involved, you should do less assuming and fewer insult attempts if you want to have an intelligent debate about this. Telling that your first comment to me includes an attempt at insult.
YESSS, great short, Lola! Powerful topic, beautiful direction and the end beat was perfect. Madeline was great -- enough humanity in her at the beginning to make for a compelling protagonist / antagonist. Well done!
When you despise the character being portrayed, you know the actor/actress is doing a good job
I don’t get it
U don't have to
me too
Basically, MC was pretty deep in denial for most of the short. She "fought" so hard against extremists who had such a superiority complex when it's clear from the way she talks and acts publicly that she had a superiority complex and was an extremist herself, just on the other end of the spectrum. But she couldn't admit that because that would mean having to admit she was wrong in some capacity. Every time there was an opportunity for her to question her ways and consider not feeding into the narrative she felt trapped in, she felt nauseous or gagged up chunks of hair. The complete alien-looking baby thing that she threw up at the end was her "conscience", I believe. The last of her compassion and her ability to be a good person. The last of her chances to back out and not keep feeding into her extremism that she felt like she had to answer to because her ego (once again, superiority complex) couldn't handle it. But she snapped its neck and destroyed that chance. She's too far gone to come back from the things she says. Which lead to her downplaying the tragedy and using it for her own political agenda.
Me too
Same
Now that's an actress that knows what she's doing.
I love that actress! She's very talented. As soon as I saw Madeline Brewer was involved in this, I clicked to watch : )
Brilliant short. Great work Lola and all involved.
Excellent horror short! Great plot, script, scenario, cinematography, sondtrack and acting. Enjoyed it@
Man, I've got to watch A Handmaids Tale already. Madeline Brewer is so talented!
Love love love Lola Blanc! She is so creative, she has directed her own music videos! And I highly HIGHLY recommend her podcast TRUST ME, co-hosted with Megan Elizabeth, about cults and high-control groups. Such a huge fan!!
Can you tell me what the alien baby was suppose to mean? Thanks a bunch.
Perhaps her way of considering strangers; as aliens. She didn't think about the victims of the shooting, but only started thinking when it was someone she knew who died. Perhaps her killing the alien meant she killed all empathy for alien/stranger humans.
The director/co-creator has a pinned comment at the top, you could ask her there.
My interpretation is that the character purged her "good conscience" or it could have even been her "soul".
Thank you so much.@@meganwalker27
Megan that makes so much sense now. Thank you. @@meganwalker27
I think it represents her conscience
Stoppp I loved this so much. That cut at the end was impactful and wowowow well done to all involved
Whoa!!! Hairball is so wild! Bravo!
Well done 👏🏻
She is a terrific actress! Very believable.
Such a powerful message and beautifully directed. Amazing work Lola Blanc!
@@bayshorepark1231239Facts
Lady at beginning was spot on
Sorry but I just don’t get the message here, care to explain? I feel it is against the right, am I correct
not necessary its against political propaganda in general and saying something even if you know its not true and can do harm but you still do it for your personal gain. i would say both sides are guilty of that but maybe on the right its a little bit more noticeable at least in the US and some other western countries.
Brilliant depiction of the soulless mainstream media.
Don´t forget the soulless goverments.
@@TheFirelineGovernments aren’t soulless, unless a Stalin, North Korea or PolPot style dictatorship.
From both sides. Be critical at all times, don't just follow any crowd. Although I do agree that she carries no responsibility on the tragedy, she didn't claim that violence is the answer. Many people have been seen written in manifestos, that doesn't mean that they carry responsibility for the actions of others. Unless they specifically called for violence.
Many things of what she said are also true. Victimhood is being seen and used as a privilege. 'Who is more oppressed? The black people? The immigrants (ask Chicago residents)? The alphabet community (and then which one of them..)? This victimhood monster is now backfiring on the left. Hillary is called a superpredator, ryan paul the same etc. They're now running from the mindset of people that they created.
I loved it! Great work
Congrats 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏! Excellent short! An idea: what if making a sequence with a social media platform CEO? 😅😅😅😅 Thanks for sharing this! 🤗
Great short! ❤. Happy Saturday! And Kuddos to the writer, etc....🥰👏👏
That was awesome, really well done. Bravo!! 🙌
Great short! If Madeline Brewer is involved, I’ll show up. I’ll keep an eye out for future projects from Lola.
Good work! 👏
Omg lol my name is Elias. Great movie!
I think that this is an absolutely brilliant film! It is Eerie because it is so accurate, I was kind of bummed out at the end I thought to myself, but there is no end to this political business, therefore it just keeps going in a vicious vicious circle! Bravo to you I absolutely love it and can't wait for another film from you, Love alter!
There’s nothing accurate about it. Name something accurate it stated.
@@ggates5371that right wingers have absolutely no conscience or empathy, but are soulless husks happy to profit from the hate they perpetuate.
After reading the comments here, I’m just gonna go ahead and say it: If you are legitimately upset or offended by this film’s message, chances are that you might be part of the problem, and you are one of the people who need to hear said message the most.
It's not movie. It's propaganda
Not upset or triggered...just a bad flick with no creativity or intelligence
What are you? Elementary kid?
@@user-qx9zv2xd8s Cry More
Tf u mean it literally talks bout a shooting against the people ta were gettin upset😂
Hi Lola. Congratulations on making this film and sharing it with the world. ALTER is a horror platform and there is no worse horror than that which develops from deep inside we humans. Living off the hate and bigotry of others is horrific. Your film has just shone a light on this, and I thank you for it. Great story telling and truly creepy performances from your lead actors. Question. What gave you the inspiration to tell this particular story?
There is a pinned comment from the Creator, they're answering questions there
@@amberv9424 thanks.
@@edyak6280 for future reference they usually do that in all the videos. So as long as it's a new video they'll answer you
Glad I got to see it! I often speculate on whether or not extremists believe their rhetoric or whether it's really all for reactions, clicks, and fame. I wonder how folks like that sleep at night. Unfortunately, I bet far too many have sweet dreams in their comfy and luxurious beds, cushioned by the support of their fans.
I think about this a lot too, and imo, it’s probably a mix. I’m sure almost all of them hold the beliefs to an extent, but caricaturize their performance of those beliefs for (as you say) reactions, clicks, and fame.
Exactly! Just like all those limousine liberals who live in gated all white communities yet drone on and on about the colored folk and how they live....insane. keep using your trust fund money to support your leftist agenda. Unfortunately by the time you realize the damage that you've spread, we will all have lost our freedoms through a thinly veiled version of Communism called modern socialism. What a fine record of human rights they have
She look like she was having nightmares.
Very few drug dealers feel bad about selling drugs to addicts.
And people like the main character deal the drugs fear, anger, and hate.
Who are the extremists in modern America, Mattie?
Accurate af.
Phenomenal short film.
Sick and twisted message.
this was great
I swear down, I have a swiss cheese plant called Oscar
That was WILD! 🤣
Love Madeline, wish I could watch her more often!
The lead actress (blonde) reminds me of the actress from the handmaid's tale.....
I don't understand
She played that Character well. And that alien baby thing coming out her mouth 👏
Loved this!
Loved that Ben was as in this movie 😊
Political tones aside this was great. I truly enjoyed it. The juxtaposition to today's climate and the symbolism is on point. Those who didn't like it can't seperate their personal identity with liking art. Doesn't need to be triggering.
Amazing stuff, Lola!!!❤❤❤
Great short! Hauntingly relevant and superbly executed, congrats to Lola and the team. Loved the practical effects too!
Hauntingly relevant- perfect descriptor!
A fotografia é incrível,os ângulos perfeitos,da um medo,uma aflição , tudo branco da um pavor,amei , parabéns a todos direto do Brasil ❤👏👏
oh cool... i was JUST thinking that i wish that the fiction i use to escape the non stop political flood of the rest of my media, would add modern politics. and so subtly delivered, too. 🥴
Emperor Palpatine username and profile picture.."Take politics out of my entertainment." Yet another uneducated, ignorant Star Wsrs fan.
Right LOL.
Most art is political, whether you notice it or not just depends what kind of politics it is and who it's criticising.
If the shoe fits ...
@@altaisrs2857 It doesn't fit, that's the point, you should be able to have entertainment without political crap in it but that was a thing of the past. Granted all the political crap in entertainment has saved me a lot of money because I no longer spend money on movie theaters, movie rentals, cable or movie streaming services.
Can somebody please explain to me. I feel lost please explain
she "pruned" herself, that little tiny person was the little bit of decency and compassion she had left.
@@darquemattre7900 OH I thought it was supposed to be her negative emotions, but that actually makes more sense. It would also explain the cut-off at the end when she said but, because she's dismissing the whole situation.
loved her in Cam and OITNB.
Remember the tree of liberty.
She killed these sweet alienbaby 😡
Super obsessed with this channel and the many talented people who are featured on here 🥹💗
amazing
This is awesome, but why does she remind me of the MC girl from scary movie?
Jesus what an ending!
Wow. That’s incredible. 2 seconds into the short I could tell exactly what direction this entire thing was headed. Predictable
Because the only worth of a short film is whether it surprises you?
Is that trish from orange is the new black? 😲 Omg if so she's stunning 🥰
Answering my own question....Omg yes it is her 🥰🥰
oh my gosh it’s the guy from idiot test
How do I use my shards in warframe
Powerful and very thought-provoking. The contrast with the all-white, immaculate household space and the darkness of her recurring dreams... I won't delve into politics, but we surely need more content producers like you!
love love love Maddie 🖤
Oh I love her! She’s such an amazing actress!!! Especially in Handmaid’s Tale!!!
0:50 is that the girl from the CAM movie on netflix?
❤ I LOVE ALTER
Here you can see the big difference between real good actors and just some amateurs. Madeline Brewer is awesome.
Grifters that make money being "controversial" with no regard of possible consequences are horrifying, nice to see it as an horror movie theme.
why is no one talking about ben gleib in the newscast
I love Peyton Kennedy, cool seeing her participating
I I really enjoy this actress I enjoy the handmaid's tale! I love this actress and I really enjoyed the entry to the alter film
She's such a good actress I didn't even know it was her!😮😊
I didn't realise she is Janine from The Handmaid's Tale
This spoke with accuracy on so many levels.
MASTERWORK. I love it!
Truth in plain sight I love it 🎉
Hard zu watch because of the today's relevance... Great message
As someone with emetephobia this is so creepy but I love it
Love your short films
Ben?!
"but it had nothing to do with me." is my guess.
Pruning won’t fix bad plant care!
Great film. The last sentence reminded me of the phrase "what comes before the 'but' worths shit." It's incredible how you can see even in the comments of this film, people who sympathize and justify the protagonist and even the murderer. Hate speech reaches frustrated and broken people easily. They didn't understand ANYTHING AT ALL.
A lot of people in the comments didn't like the mirror being held up.
im gonna be sick
Lola needs a feature!!
Thanks for the vurp